Final answer:
The primary advantage of a turbocharger is improved acceleration, as it allows more air and fuel to create more power. It enhances the overall engine efficiency, which is limited by the engine's thermal management to prevent overheating.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main advantage of a turbocharger is improved acceleration by increasing the density of air entering the engine to create more power. A turbocharged engine can utilize more air, and proportionally more fuel, to produce more power than a naturally-aspirated engine of the same size. This helps enhance the efficiency of the engine, which is typically around 25 percent due to limits such as the engine's thermal management – since the engine cannot get too hot without the risk of overheating.
Moreover, advancements such as 7+ speeds, dual clutch transmissions (DCTs), and continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) contribute further to fuel economy and a reduction in CO₂ emissions, complementing the turbocharger's efficiency by reducing energy loss during transmission.